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Frequently Asked Questions 

Custom Residential Design with Jesse Campbell Designs

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What services does Jesse Campbell Designs provide? 

Jesse Campbell Designs provides custom residential design services for new homes and other residential projects.

Depending on the project agreement, services may include:

• Preliminary floor plans

• Conceptual site planning

• Design study sketches

• Exterior design studies

• Three-dimensional exterior renderings

• Building location plans

• Final floor plans

• Interior and exterior elevations

• Roof plans

• Electrical plans

• Building sections

• Dimensioned drawings

• Detailed architectural elements

• Typical framing detail sheets   

 

The exact services included will be listed in your project proposal.  

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What is the first step in beginning a project?

The process begins with gathering information about your property, lifestyle, priorities, budget, desired square footage, and architectural preferences.

Clients may be asked to complete the Jesse Campbell Designs house design questionnaire before design work begins. The questionnaire helps us understand how you live, what spaces are important to you, and how you want your home to look and feel. It also collects information about the property, site conditions, garage needs, outdoor spaces, specialty rooms, kitchen preferences, and other design priorities. 

After the project requirements are reviewed, Jesse Campbell Designs will prepare a project-specific proposal and agreement.

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The more complete the information is at the beginning, the more efficiently the design process can move forward.

Helpful information may include:

• Property address

• Property survey

• Topographic survey, when available

• Subdivision and homeowners association requirements

• Deed restrictions

• Flood-zone information

• Desired living area

• Garage and outdoor living requirements

• Construction budget

• Inspiration images

• Preferred architectural styles

• Room and storage requirements

• Must-have features

• Features you do not want

• Views, trees, slopes, access points, and other site characteristics

You should also share any known permitting, neighborhood, or property restrictions as early as possible.

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Do I need a property survey?

A current property survey is typically needed to accurately locate the proposed home on the property.

The survey may identify:

• Property boundaries

• Easements

• Building setbacks

• Existing structures

• Utilities

• Access points

• Other recorded site conditions

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A topographic survey may also be needed when the property has noticeable slopes, drainage concerns, elevation changes, or other grading conditions.

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What is a building location plan?

A building location plan shows how the proposed home is positioned on the property.

Depending on the project, it may identify:

• The location of the home

• Property boundaries and setbacks

• Driveways

• Sidewalks

• Patios and concrete flatwork

• Water flow and drainage direction

• Site access

• Relevant grading conditions

The plan may also help determine whether modifications are needed to better fit the home to the property.

A building location plan is not necessarily the same as a professionally engineered civil, drainage, grading, or survey document.

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What are the main phases of the design process?

Most custom residential projects are organized into three primary phases:

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Schematic Phase

This is the early concept phase. The goal is to establish the general layout, organization, scale, and architectural direction of the home.

Services may include:

• Review of the client’s goals and project requirements

• Site review or site visit

• Preliminary floor plans

• Study sketches

• Conceptual site planning

• An initial exterior design study

• A preliminary white-box three-dimensional view

The white-box rendering is generally used to study the home’s form, proportions, rooflines, massing, and overall design direction. It is not intended to represent final materials, landscaping, or finished construction.

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Design Development

After the schematic design is approved, the selected concept is developed in greater detail.

Services may include:

• Adjusted and refined floor plans

• Continued exterior development

• Photorealistic exterior renderings

• Material and color studies

• Building placement coordination

• Further development of architectural features

This phase establishes the approved design direction before final construction documents are prepared.

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Construction Documents

After the design development phase is approved, the project moves into final documentation.

Depending on the agreement, the construction drawing package may include:

• Final floor plans

• Dimension plans

• Electrical plans

• Interior elevations

• Exterior elevations

• Building sections

• Roof plans

• Architectural details

• Typical framing details

• Building location information

The exact drawing package will depend on the project scope and signed agreement.

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What is the difference between schematic design and design development?

Schematic design focuses on the broad concept of the home.

This includes questions such as:

• How should the rooms be arranged?

• How should the home relate to the property?

• Where should the primary suite be located?

• How should the home flow from one space to another?

• What should the overall exterior form look like?

Design development takes the approved concept and refines it.

This may include:

• Adjusting room dimensions

• Refining windows and doors

• Developing roof forms

• Studying exterior materials

• Refining architectural details

• Coordinating the floor plan with the exterior design

The project becomes increasingly detailed as it progresses through each phase.

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What is included in the construction drawings?

The construction drawing package is intended to communicate the approved residential design to the owner, builder, consultants, and permitting authorities.

Depending on the project agreement, the package may include:

• Floor plans

• Dimensioned plans

• Electrical layouts

• Roof plans

• Exterior elevations

• Interior elevations

• Building sections

• Architectural details

• Typical framing details

• Building location information

The final contents of the drawing package will be identified in the signed project agreement.

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Are structural engineering plans included?

Foundation and structural engineering plans are not included unless they are specifically identified in writing as part of the project scope.

Engineering services are generally contracted separately by the owner or builder.

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Are mechanical, plumbing, and engineered electrical plans included?

Detailed mechanical, plumbing, and engineered electrical plans are not automatically included unless they are specifically listed in the proposal.

The residential design drawings show general fixture locations, plumbing relationships, lighting locations, switches, outlets, and other design intent. 

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Are three-dimensional renderings included?

Renderings may be included when identified in the project proposal.

Depending on the project, the rendering package may include:

• A preliminary white-box exterior study

• Photorealistic exterior renderings

• Material or color-selection options

• Additional exterior views

• A 360-degree exterior presentation

The number, type, and level of detail of the renderings will be listed in the individual project agreement. 

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What is a white-box rendering?

A white-box rendering is an early three-dimensional design study that typically shows the home without final colors, textures, landscaping, or decorative finishes.

It is used to evaluate:

• Massing

• Roof forms

• Proportions

• Window placement

• Entry composition

• Architectural balance

• The relationship between major building elements

It helps establish the design direction before time is spent developing final materials and photorealistic images.

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Are interior renderings included?

Interior renderings are not included unless they are specifically identified in the project proposal.

Exterior rendering services and interior rendering services require different levels of modeling, materials, furnishings, lighting, and detail. Interior renderings may be added as an additional service when available.

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How many revisions are included?

The number of included revisions is established in the project-specific proposal and agreement.

Revisions are generally organized by design phase so that decisions are approved before the project moves into the next level of detail.

Clients should review each presentation carefully and provide one clear, coordinated set of comments whenever possible. Consolidated feedback helps reduce confusion, conflicting instructions, and unnecessary redesign.

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What is considered a minor revision?

A minor revision generally changes a limited design element without significantly affecting the structure or overall organization of the home.

Examples may include:

• Relocating a sink

• Adjusting a door

• Moving a window

• Changing a light-fixture location

• Revising a cabinet arrangement

• Making a small room-layout adjustment

Whether a requested change is minor will depend on how it affects the surrounding plans, elevations, roof, structure, and completed drawings.

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What is considered a major revision?

A major revision generally affects the structure, footprint, roof, exterior design, or major organization of the home.

Examples may include:

• Moving interior or exterior walls

• Relocating the garage

• Changing the roof plan

• Changing ceiling heights

• Redesigning the entry

• Enlarging or reducing a major portion of the home

• Changing the approved architectural direction

• Reorganizing major room relationships

A change that appears simple may require updates to several drawings and may therefore be considered a major revision.

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What happens when I request changes after approving a design phase?

Approval of each phase allows the project to move forward with confidence.

Changes requested after a phase has been approved may require earlier drawings and later documents to be revised. These changes may be treated as additional services and billed at the hourly rate stated in the project agreement.

This is especially important once construction documents have begun because a single design change may affect:

• Floor plans

• Dimensions

• Elevations

• Roof plans

• Building sections

• Electrical plans

• Structural coordination

• Renderings

Clients are encouraged to make major design decisions before approving the design development phase. 

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How do I approve a design phase?

Approval is typically provided in writing.

Depending on the project, the owner may be asked to sign or otherwise provide written approval of:

• The preliminary schematic design

• The design development drawings

• The selected exterior direction

• The final construction documents

Written approval creates a clear record of the selected design and authorizes Jesse Campbell Designs to proceed to the next phase.

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How are design fees determined?

Design fees are established individually for each project.

The fee may be influenced by factors such as:

• Project size

• Design complexity

• Site conditions

• Architectural style

• Scope of drawings

• Number and type of renderings

• Level of custom detailing

• Consultant coordination

• Project schedule

• Additional requested services

The proposal will identify the fee and payment schedule for the specific project. Because every project is different, website information should not be interpreted as a guaranteed fee or quotation.

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Can the final design fee change?

The final fee may be adjusted when the project scope changes.

Examples include:

• An increase or decrease in the size of the home

• Additional covered areas

• Added structures

• Expanded drawing requirements

• Additional renderings

• Major redesign after approval

• Services that were not included in the original agreement

Any fee adjustment will be handled according to the terms of the signed project agreement.

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What does total covered area mean?

Total covered area generally includes the areas of the project located beneath a roof.

Depending on the proposal, this may include:

• Conditioned living space

• Garages

• Covered porches

• Covered patios

• Balconies

• Breezeways

• Other roofed areas

The method used to calculate the project area will be defined in the individual proposal when applicable.

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How are payments scheduled?

Payments are typically divided according to the major phases of the design process.

A project payment schedule may include:

• An initial retainer when the agreement is signed

• A payment at the beginning of design development

• A final payment associated with completion of the construction documents

The exact percentages, amounts, and due dates will be identified in the signed agreement.

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Is the initial retainer refundable?

The initial retainer is generally non-refundable when stated in the project agreement.

It reserves time in the design schedule and covers the beginning of project review, planning, research, site evaluation, and schematic design services.

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What happens if a payment is late?

If an undisputed payment is not made when due, Jesse Campbell Designs may suspend work until the account is brought current.

The designer is not responsible for project delays caused by suspended services resulting from nonpayment.

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How long does the design process take?

The design schedule depends on the size and complexity of the home, the condition of the property information, the number of revisions, and the speed of client decisions.

The timeline may also be affected by:

• Survey availability

• Homeowners association requirements

• Consultant coordination

• Changes in scope

• Engineering requirements

• Delayed approvals

• Incomplete client information

• Permit-review comments

A specific schedule should be discussed at the beginning of the project. Design and construction dates are not guaranteed unless expressly stated in writing.

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How can I help keep the project on schedule?

Clients can help the project move efficiently by:

• Providing complete property documents

• Completing the design questionnaire thoroughly

• Reviewing drawings carefully

• Combining comments into one coordinated response

• Avoiding conflicting instructions from multiple decision-makers

• Responding to questions promptly

• Making selections on time

• Approving each phase in writing

• Avoiding major changes after approval

It is helpful for all owners and decision-makers to agree on feedback before submitting revisions.

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Will Jesse Campbell Designs visit the property?

A site visit may be included when identified in the project agreement.

The purpose of an early site visit may include reviewing:

• Access

• Views

• Trees

• Topography

• Neighboring conditions

• General drainage patterns

• Existing improvements

• Opportunities and limitations of the property

A design site visit is not a substitute for a professional survey, engineering inspection, environmental report, geotechnical investigation, or construction inspection.

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Does Jesse Campbell Designs visit the project during construction?

Limited construction-phase visits may be allowed when included in the agreement.

These visits are intended to help the designer become generally familiar with the progress and visible quality of the work. They are not continuous inspections and do not make the designer responsible for:

• Construction means and methods

• Job-site safety

• Contractor supervision

• Construction scheduling

• Material installation

• Code enforcement

• Hidden conditions

• Contractor errors

• Trade coordination

Any included visit limit will be stated in the project agreement. Additional visits may require an additional fee.

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Does Jesse Campbell Designs supervise construction?

No. The builder or general contractor is responsible for construction supervision, trade coordination, scheduling, workmanship, safety, and compliance with the construction contract. Jesse Campbell Designs provides residential design services and construction documents within the agreed scope.

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Who is responsible for permits?

The owner or builder is generally responsible for submitting documents, paying permit fees, coordinating required consultants, and responding to jurisdictional requirements unless the agreement states otherwise.

Jesse Campbell Designs may provide the completed design drawings needed for submission. Permit approval is controlled by the reviewing authority and cannot be guaranteed by the designer.

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Are homeowners association submissions included?

Homeowners association submissions, special presentation packages, forms, meetings, revisions, or resubmissions are not included unless specifically listed in the project scope.

The owner is responsible for providing all current neighborhood requirements, design guidelines, deed restrictions, and submission instructions before design begins.

Changes required by a homeowners association after design approval may be considered additional services.

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Does Jesse Campbell Designs guarantee permit approval?

No designer can guarantee approval by a city, county, homeowners association, architectural review committee, or other reviewing authority.

Requirements and interpretations may vary by jurisdiction and reviewer. Revisions requested by a reviewing authority will be handled according to the project agreement and the reason for the requested change.

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What happens if the city or homeowners association requests revisions?

The request will be reviewed to determine whether it results from:

• A design error or omission

• A newly identified requirement

• A jurisdictional interpretation

• Missing owner-provided information

• A change in the project

• A homeowners association preference

• An additional service outside the original scope

Revisions required because of a designer error or omission will be handled differently from revisions caused by changed requirements, client decisions, or third-party preferences.

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Can I get revisions after the final construction drawing were issued?​

Yes, but revisions requested after issuance of the final construction drawings may be billed as additional services.

Post-issuance revisions may require updates across multiple sheets and coordination with the builder, engineer, or other consultants. Changes made during construction can also affect pricing, scheduling, permitting, and completed work.

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What if an error or omission is found in the drawings?

Jesse Campbell Designs will review the issue and determine the appropriate correction.

Revisions required solely because of a designer error or omission are treated differently from changes requested by the owner, builder, homeowners association, permitting authority, engineer, or other third party.

The owner and builder should bring questions or inconsistencies to the designer’s attention before proceeding with affected work.

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Can the builder make changes to the plans?

Construction should follow the approved contract documents.

Builder-proposed changes should be reviewed with the owner and designer before implementation, particularly when they affect:

• The exterior appearance

• Room dimensions

• Windows and doors

• Ceiling heights

• Roof forms

• Structural coordination

• Architectural details

• The approved design intent

Changes made without review may create conflicts, affect code compliance, or alter the appearance and function of the home.

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Who owns the drawings?

Jesse Campbell Designs retains ownership and authorship of its drawings, renderings, models, details, and other design work unless the signed agreement expressly states otherwise.

The owner receives a license to use the completed documents for the project identified in the agreement.

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Can I use the plans to build another home?

The drawings are intended for the specific owner, property, and project identified in the agreement.

They may not be reused, copied, transferred, modified for another property, or used to construct an additional home without written authorization from Jesse Campbell Designs.

Site conditions, building requirements, codes, and structural needs vary from one property to another.

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Can I use the plans for future additions or renovations?

The owner may retain the final design documents for completing and maintaining the original project and for planning future alterations or additions.

Future work should be reviewed by qualified professionals to confirm current codes, structural conditions, site requirements, and compatibility with the original design.

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Can Jesse Campbell Designs photograph or publish my project?

The project agreement may authorize Jesse Campbell Designs to photograph or record the home before, during, and after construction and to use drawings, renderings, photographs, or video for marketing, publication, awards, social media, or portfolio purposes.

Any signage placed at the property must comply with applicable homeowners association requirements.

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Will there be a Jesse Campbell Designs sign at the property?

The project agreement may allow a “Designed by Jesse Campbell Designs” sign to be displayed during construction.

The placement and duration of the sign are subject to property-owner approval requirements and any applicable homeowners association restrictions.

Signs displaying Jesse Campbell Designs drawings, renderings, or other design work should include the Jesse Campbell Designs logo.

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Can I cancel the project?

The owner may cancel residential design services in writing according to the terms of the signed agreement.

The owner remains responsible for services performed and expenses incurred through the cancellation date. The amount due may be calculated according to the project phase, completed work, hourly time invested, or other terms stated in the agreement.

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Can Jesse Campbell Designs terminate the agreement?

Jesse Campbell Designs may terminate or suspend the agreement when the owner does not comply with the agreement, fails to make required payments, does not provide necessary information, or otherwise breaches the project terms.

The specific termination provisions will be listed in the signed agreement.

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Does the design agreement expire?

A design agreement may include an expiration date.

If the project extends beyond the agreement period, the agreement may need to be renewed. Updated fees, services, schedules, codes, and project conditions may apply.

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What happens if the project is placed on hold?

A lengthy pause may affect:

• The design schedule

• Consultant availability

• Permit requirements

• Building codes

• Material selections

• Construction pricing

• Project fees

Before work resumes, Jesse Campbell Designs may need to review the project status and issue an updated schedule or agreement.

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What building codes are used?

Residential drawings are prepared using the applicable residential building standards identified for the project and the information available at the time the documents are produced.

Final requirements may vary based on:

• Project location

• Local amendments

• Permit authority

• Property conditions

• Building type

• Engineering

• Energy requirements

• Fire requirements

• Homeowners association standards

The permitting authority has final jurisdiction over code interpretation and approval.

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Does Jesse Campbell Designs provide construction-cost estimates?

Construction pricing is controlled by the builder, trade contractors, suppliers, material selections, labor conditions, and market conditions.

Jesse Campbell Designs may design with the owner’s stated budget in mind, but it cannot guarantee construction bids or final construction costs.

The owner should involve a qualified builder early enough to provide current pricing feedback during the design process.

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When should I select a builder?

A builder may be selected before or during the design process.

Early builder involvement can be helpful for:

• Budget feedback

• Construction-method discussions

• Material availability

• Site logistics

• Preliminary scheduling

• Local trade knowledge

The builder’s role should remain clearly distinguished from the designer’s role.

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Can Jesse Campbell Designs work with my builder?

Yes. Jesse Campbell Designs may coordinate with the owner’s selected builder regarding design intent and questions about the drawings.

Extensive meetings, redesign, bidding assistance, construction administration, or ongoing builder coordination may be considered additional services unless specifically included in the agreement.

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What should I do if the builder has a question about the plans?

Questions should be submitted in writing whenever possible and should clearly identify:

• The sheet number

• The drawing or detail

• The location in question

• The specific clarification needed

• Any proposed solution

The builder should avoid making assumptions when a question could affect the design, structure, dimensions, or appearance of the home.

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How should I submit design feedback?

Provide one organized and coordinated list of comments for each review.

Helpful feedback is:

• Specific

• Consolidated

• Prioritized

• Clearly marked on the drawing when possible

• Approved by all decision-makers

Instead of saying, “We do not like this room,” explain what is not working, such as circulation, furniture placement, privacy, views, storage, or room size.

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What happens after the final drawings are completed?

After final payment and completion of the agreed services, the owner will receive the project documents in the format identified in the agreement.

The drawings are generally provided as PDF files. The owner may print the files for review, construction coordination, homeowners association submission, and permit submission for the approved project.

Editable AutoCAD files are not included unless specifically authorized in writing.

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How do I begin?

Use our contact form and gather any available property documents, surveys, neighborhood requirements, inspiration images, and preliminary project information. We will send you the Jesse Campbell Designs house design questionnaire to complete.

Once the project requirements have been reviewed, Jesse Campbell Designs can prepare a proposal outlining the recommended scope, deliverables, fees, and next steps.